USA Bird Control Measures for Pigeons

USA Bird Control Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

No one need tell public or private property owners that pigeons can be a costly nuisance. Classified as the most troublesome pest bird by USA bird control pros, feral pigeons create a mess and cause damage wherever they roost. These descendants of domesticated European homing pigeons not only eat just about anything, but they are quite at home in most man-made buildings and structures.

With short legs, hind toes and a level front, pigeons can perch virtually anywhere--on pipes, ledges, wires, beams and archways. They'll even hop onto table tops where people are eating and snatch food from children's hands. Pigeons usually nest in tight little areas that are elevated, including ledges, A.C. units or window sills. Some pigeons have been known to lay eggs on a protected ledge or similar surface.
USA bird control experts have long insisted that pigeons can cause significant damage and carry potentially deadly diseases. The uric acid in pigeon droppings is highly corrosive and can eat into metals and other substrates if allowed to remain for extended periods. Built-up pigeon droppings and debris can often clog gutters and drains, which result in flooding and roof damage. Nesting materials and other pigeon debris can cause failures in rooftop vents, ducts and A.C. units. There's also the slip and fall liability pigeon droppings create, and the negative appearance that mounds and splats of pigeon droppings leave on building signs and facades.

Finally, the bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in pigeon droppings have been known to cause serious diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis and more.

Today's USA pigeon control professionals use a number of effective and humane measures to deter pigeons. These include:

Bird Netting. Ideal for excluding pigeons from specific areas, Bird Netting blocks pigeons from courtyards, atriums, eaves, canopies, garages, rooftops, bridges, warehouses, and similar sites. While Bird Netting comes in various types and mesh sizes,  the netting most used for pigeons is 3/4-inch mesh. There's also heavy-duty netting to deny pigeons access to buildings and other large areas. USA bird control experts advise getting Premium Bird Netting, which is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. A Multi-Strand Polypropylene Fiber netting called No-Knot Netting is ideal for the most demanding outdoor applications, since it has a 50-pound break strength and can withstand temperatures from 250F – 338F.

Electric Tracks. Ideal for deterring pigeons of all types, Electric Tracks impart a most convincing but harmless electric jolt that birds remember and will try to avoid. Often used to keep pigeons off ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, I-beams, eaves and signs, Electric Tracks can be easily installed on flat or curved surfaces. For those concerned about appearance, there is a low-profile, Electrical Track system that measures just 1/4-inch at its highest point and comes in four colors--grey, stone, black and terracotta. These tracks blend in and are barely noticeable when installed properly. USA bird control experts recommended Electric Tracks that feature a flow-thru design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops.

Catch and Release Bird Trap. Ideal for use in areas where pigeons are not nesting or feeding, Catch and Release Traps can be effective. Used to remove pigeons from rooftops, warehouses, courtyards, or similar open areas where pest birds have become a nuisance, these traps can be used indoors or out. The traps are easy to set up and use: Simply place a little bird feed inside the trap to lure the bird inside; a funnel door lets the  bird walk in, but once in, there's no way out; then, an easy-access door on top lets you quickly remove or release the caged bird.

USA bird control experts advise that you make sure the cage is constructed of sturdy galvanized wire. For bigger jobs, you can get multi-bird traps. These bird control traps work on the same principle, humanely trapping birds for later relocation. For big pigeon problems consider getting the Repeating Pigeon Trap. It holds several pigeons and features two top panels, eight doors and a large access door that makes it easy to remove the pigeons.

Bird Spikes. Ideal for use on rooftops, awnings, gutters, girders, signs and ledges, bird can be a highly effective pigeon deterrent. USA bird control professionals note that Bird Spikes won't allow pigeons to land, so they simply move on. The spiked strips come with steel or rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. You can also get the Gutter Spike, which is specially designed to keep crows out of rain gutters. It's advisable to remove any obvious food or water sources before installing spikes as pigeons will stubbornly remain using more distant perches.

Sight & Sound Deterrents. Pigeons can be deterred using a combination of audio/visual devices that frighten the birds enough to stay away. Some of the more popular Visual Bird Deterrents include reflective foil banners and strips and blow-up balloons, all of which make pigeons feel too threatened to stay. The strips and banners tend to crackle in the breeze and sparkle in the sunlight, which makes these devices even more nerve wracking to pigeons. Balloons covered with large predator eyes convince birds that predators are near and waiting to attack them. These devices are widely used by USA bird control experts since they are inexpensive and simple to install in trees, gazebos, overhangs, patios, eaves, and other areas. For best effect, you should set up these deterrents before pigeons appear in any large number.

Hawk Decoys. Easy to mount and display, these lifelike predators strike instant fear into the hearts of most pest birds--including pigeons. Hawks are natural predators that hunt during the day, which is also the time when pigeons tend to be most active. The best decoys are the most realistic looking, made of heavy duty plastic, and are weather and water-resistant. They can be easily hung from rafters or overhangs, or you can just position them on patios, building rooftops, boat canvases and other flat surfaces. For added stability, some decoys are hollow, allowing you to fill them with sand.